The South Dundas Chamber in conjunction with the South Grenville Chamber recently arranged a sunset boat cruise on the St. Lawrence, departing from the Brockville waterfront and returning approximately two hours later. The event was a fundraiser for the WDMH Foundation. The South Dundas Chamber Board gathered for a photo before returning to shore. From Left: Past President Jim Cooper, Loralee Carruthers, Rachel Hewetson, Laurie Wilson, Randy North, and Andrew Goetz. Tinkess Photo

MORRISBURG – In times of economic and political uncertainty, it is easy to focus on the things that are beyond our control. Interest rates, inflation, tariffs, trade disputes, government policy and international events can all have an impact on the local economy. For an individual business owner, however, there is often little that can be done to influence those larger forces.

There is, however, something that can be done closer to home. At a grassroots level you can build stronger local business relationships and support the institutions that help keep the local economy moving.

That is where a local Chamber of Commerce, such as the one in South Dundas can play an important role, according to President Randy North.

“The current economic uncertainty resulting from the unstable political conditions are worrisome for the majority of business people, and Chamber of Commerce membership now and in the future will help forge a path to help all businesses move forward,” said North, “And to support other local commerce’s and increase trade with other provinces as pressure to remove any and all interprovincial trade barriers/tariffs.

“We can no longer rely on our former main trading partner south of the border to play fair, therefore the importance of buying LOCAL and buying CANADIAN!

A Chamber is more than an organization that hosts networking events or distributes a membership directory. At its best, it brings together businesses, organizations and community leaders who have a shared interest in seeing their community prosper.

That collective approach becomes particularly important when economic conditions are uncertain. There really is strength in numbers

A small business owner can have difficulty making his or her voice heard on their own. Hundreds of businesses speaking collectively are harder to ignore.

There is though, also a less formal, but equally important, benefit to belonging to a business organization: getting to know the people who operate the businesses around you., both at work as well as outside the office.

“A good example is the recent South Dundas Chamber of Commerce boat cruise which served as a tremendous networking get-together with Chamber of Commerce members and business leaders from all walks of life in attendance, cementing bonds and creating new ones,” said North. “We look forward to hosting another huge network event combined with a family themed comedy show on Sat., Oct. 24 at Stone Crop Acres Winery in Morrisburg. More connections will be made, and many laughs will be shared.”

Details will be published shortly on the new Chamber website and updated on its Facebook page.

Other upcoming SDCC events feature the Morrisburg All-Candidates Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 20, Morrisburg Legion. They also have a few networking events in the works including the 3rd annual Chamber VIP Breakfast on Wed., Jan. 20, 2027, at 7:15 a.m. with MP Eric Duncan, MPP Nolan Quinn, and South Dundas’ Mayor. Looking even farther forward there is the Chamber golf tournament organized by Kelsey Banks, a long-time chamber member. It takes place on Sat., June 12 at Williamsburg’s Cedar Glen Golf Club.

Being a part of the community is obviously in the DNA of a typical Chamber member. A local business owner who needs an accountant, graphic designer, contractor, printer, photographer, lawyer, tradesperson or professional service may already have someone in their network who can help and knowing not only what they do, but who they are makes a huge difference.

Those connections can translate into business for members, but they can also create a stronger sense of community.

It is also very important at this point in time to remember that buying Canadian starts close to home. The push to buy Canadian has received considerable attention as Canada navigates an increasingly ruptured international trade environment.

When you purchase from a locally owned business, a greater portion of that economic activity can remain within the community. The business pays local employees. It may purchase supplies from other Canadian companies. It pays rent, property taxes, utilities and professional fees. Its employees, in turn, spend money at other local businesses.

They also support sports teams, artistic communities, food banks and hospitals. They are often the people who contribute when a community organization needs a donation or a volunteer. Those contributions can be easy to overlook because they rarely appear on a receipt.

A purchase made at a local independent business is also a vote for the continued existence of that business. Shopping local is about more than convenience There is a temptation, particularly when household budgets are under pressure to automatically choose the lowest advertised price. Price matters. It always has. But there is another calculation consumers can make: How does this purchase contribute to the community?

When a local store closes, a bank branch leaves town or a community organization shuts down, the loss is about more than the physical building or service. It can weaken the network of relationships that makes a community function. The Chamber can help connect the dots and is one reason membership can be so valuable.

For a new business, a Chamber can provide introductions, information and opportunities to meet other entrepreneurs. For an established business, it can provide another avenue for promotion, advocacy and community involvement. It can also remind businesses that they are not operating in isolation.

The success of one local business can contribute to the success of another. A busy downtown benefits neighbouring retailers. A successful manufacturer creates customers for local service providers. A thriving tourism operation creates opportunities for restaurants, accommodations and retailers.

Consumers have a role to play every time they decide where to spend their money. Businesses have a role in choosing local suppliers and services whenever practical. Municipalities can help create an environment in which businesses can establish and grow. And organizations such as Chambers can provide a place where those interests come together.

None of this means Canadians should never shop online, purchase foreign-made products or choose a national chain. There are legitimate reasons for doing all of those things occasionally, but there is value in making a conscious decision to look locally first.

Economic uncertainty is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Neither are the political and international forces affecting Canadian businesses. What communities can control, however, is how well they work together.

Supporting local businesses, buying Canadian when possible and participating in organizations that strengthen the local economy are relatively small actions individually. Collectively, they can make a significant difference. In uncertain times, perhaps the most important investment a community can make is in itself. It can happen anywhere. It should happen here.

If you would like to have a light shined on your business, please contact us at: editor@etceterapublications.ca or call us at 613-448-2321.